2012 GW Law Review Symposium: "Law and Democracy: A Symposium on the Law Governing Our Democratic Process"

This year's annual George Washington University Law Review symposium looks at the laws that govern our democratic process. Prominent academics and practitioners will discuss topics including the 2012 election cycle, campaign finance reform proposals, voting rights, and election law issues before the Supreme Court.

This panel will feature a post-election discussion on the major legal issues that arose throughout the campaign and election seasons. The slated panelists are experts in campaign finance, election administration, and the Voting Rights Act.

10:45–11 am: Morning Break, Kelly Lounge

11 am–12:15 pm: Panels

The Role of Campaign Finance in the 2012 Election (L201)

Moderator:Lawrence Noble, President and CEO, Americans for Campaign Reform

Allison Hayward, Former Vice President of Policy, Center for Competitive Politics

Sam Issacharoff, Professor of Constitutional Law, New York University School of Law

Panelists will analyze the precarious status of the preclearance provision (Section 5) of the Voting Rights Act, the Court’s evolving jurisprudence in this area, and the next steps for voting rights if the Court invalidates Section 5. They will also focus on partisan, incumbent, and racial gerrymandering in the redistricting that followed the 2012 census, the performance of the legislatures and independent commissions that redrew district lines, and proposals for reform.

3–3:15 pm: Afternoon Break, Kelly Lounge.

3:15–4:30 pm: Panel, Moot Court Room.

Election Law in the Roberts Court

Moderator:Alan Morrison, Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law and Professional Lecturer in Law, The George Washington University Law School